Doe Network

309UFDEU - Unidentified Female


Reconstructions of the victim (images 2-5 created in 1998); example of dental jewelry similar to what the victim likely wore.

Date of Discovery: June 2, 1997
Location of Discovery: Altena-Bergfeld, Germany
Estimated Date of Death: June 1, 1997
State of Remains: Burned
Cause of Death: Homicide by incineration

Physical Description

Estimated Age: 14-22 years old
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: 154 cm (5'1")
Weight: 45 kg (100 lbs.)
Hair Color: Auburn to dark brown
Eye Color: Dark, also listed as blue
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Petite build, pale complexion, shoe size 33-35. Toenails painted with red polish.

Identifiers

Dentals: Available. Her teeth were in good condition, having excellent dental care. One of her upper incisors (tooth 12) had an adhesive point on it which had been attached in a professional way by creating corrosion. It was concluded that the victim might have worn some sort of ornament, possibly a diamond-like imitation (probably mass produced diamanté) with a diameter of about 2mm (0.078 inches). Investigators believe that the ornament was deliberately removed during the crime. She may have additionally recieved orthodontic treatment prior to becoming a teenager.
Fingerprints: Available.
DNA: Available.

Clothing & Personal Items

Clothing: None. The body was nude, yet blue/gray fibers at the scene may have been from fragments of clothing.
Jewelry: None (excluding the presumed tooth ornament described above).
Additional Personal Items: None.

Circumstances of Discovery

The victim was located on June 2, 1997 in wooded area in Altena-Bergfeld, Germany.

She had been raped, strangled and later doused with fuel and set on fire, while still alive. The perpetrator of the crime appeared to have taken steps to conceal the identity of the female.

Postmortem exams strongly suggested a family member was involved in her death, likely being her own father.

A €2,000 reward is available for information on the case.

Investigating Agency(s)

Agency Name: German National Police - Hagen / Interpol
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 02331-986-2066
Online tip submission: here, or via Interpol
Agency Case Number: 2023-DE03 (Interpol)

Information Source(s)

Westfallen Post
Westfälische Rundschau
LKA (archived)
Interpol
BKA

Admin Notes

Added: Prior to 2004; Last Updated: 7/15/2023


Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team

** Listed information may be estimated.

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